Commentary

8 Key Reactions to Clinton’s Plan from Leading Campaign Finance Reform Advocates


NEW YORK–(ENEWSPF)–September 8, 2015. Today, Hillary Clinton announced a set of proposals to restore integrity to American elections by overturning Citizens United, ending secret money in politics and amplifying the voices of ordinary Americans. Clinton’s plan sharply contrasts with the positions of many Republican candidates, who continue to defend secret money or push to eliminate caps on political spending.

Here’s what eight key campaign finance reform advocates had to say about her plan:

Congressman John Sarbanes (D-Md.):

“Secretary Clinton’s effort to fight big money in politics is a robust and comprehensive policy proposal that will put our democracy back into the hands of everyday Americans. By amplifying the power of small donations and enabling every American to have a voice in our government, we can curb the undue influence of big money in politics and return to a government of, by and for the people. I applaud the Secretary’s commitment to this issue and believe there’s no better candidate to advance reforms that strengthen our democracy.”

Every Voice President and CEO David Donnelly:

“With the release of this strong, bold plan, Hillary Clinton recognizes that in order to create government of, by, and for the people—not just the wealthy campaign funders—it’s crucial to amplify the voices of regular voters. What she has proposed is both good policy and good politics. That’s why Clinton should actively campaign on this platform and push these solutions to the center of the debate in the days, weeks, and months to come.”

Public Citizen President Robert Weissman:

“[T]he acid test of whether a candidate is serious about fixing our broken political system is whether they put forward an ambitious agenda for campaign spending reform, and campaign in such a way that there’s reason to believe they would, if elected, spend political capital to enact that agenda. Today, Hillary Clinton has issued a detailed agenda that includes her support for a constitutional amendment to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court’s damaging Citizens United decision, public financing of elections and robust election contribution disclosure requirements to end the era of secret money. This is good news for American democracy.”

Democracy 21 President Fred Wertheimer:

“Democracy 21 applauds the very important and valuable campaign finance reform policy plan former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton issued today. The plan contains essential elements to repair our corrupt campaign finance system and to restore the integrity of our elections. … The Clinton plan would provide an opportunity for ordinary Americans to fight back by having their small contributions matched with multiple public funds. This would increase the importance of small donors, dilute the role of big money and provide an alternative way for candidates to finance their elections. The Clinton plan would end secret money in our elections by passing new disclosure legislation to require public disclosure of significant donors to organizations making political expenditures and by preventing transfers between organizations from serving as a means for evading the new disclosure requirements. The Clinton plan also would overturn the disastrous Citizens United decision, either through a Constitutional Amendment or through the appointment of new Justices who would support a new campaign finance jurisprudence to allow necessary regulation of money in the political process. The fundamental reforms proposed by Clinton would go a long way to addressing the most dangerous government integrity problems facing the country.”

Brennan Center for Justice:

“Today, former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton proposed a detailed, concrete plan for campaign finance reform. If enacted it would fundamentally change the role of big money in American politics. … Reducing the overwhelming influence of big money over our elections is an issue of great concern to a broad swath of the American public. So far, this plan is the most detailed blueprint for political reform issued by a presidential candidate. All candidates should issue detailed plans to increase transparency, empower average voters, and push back against the Supreme Court’s misguided and harmful rulings on campaign finance.”

Common Cause President Miles Rapoport:

“We welcome Secretary Clinton’s proposals to repair our broken campaign finance system with common sense reforms. Her support for overturning Citizens United, restoring contribution limits, enacting strong disclosure rules, and particularly for encouraging small donor public financing, is a clear and forceful statement of what needs to be done.”

People For the American Way President Michael Keegan:

“Hillary Clinton should be applauded for putting out a comprehensive plan to address the disastrous effects of money in our elections. This is the kind of leadership we need to take on this challenge, and this is the kind of plan that Americans are demanding. I look forward to seeing Secretary Clinton talking with voters about her agenda for reforming our elections as a centerpiece of her campaign.”

American Federation of Teachers’ Randi Weingarten:

“The balance of power in America is out of whack. Hillary Clinton has a bold plan to rewrite the rules so that every voter matters and every vote counts. We’re excited to work with Hillary to make the United States a democracy that is truly—as I taught my civics students every year—of the people, by the people, for the people.”

Source: www.hillaryclinton.com

Related Article:

Hillary Clinton Releases Proposals to Reform Campaign Finance, End Secret Money in Politics

 


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